Leadership Changes at Ayodhya Ram Temple Following Donation Theft Allegations
The Ram temple in Ayodhya, one of India's foremost pilgrimage sites, has undergone a leadership overhaul after allegations emerged that tens of millions of rupees in donations were stolen.
The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, which manages the shrine, announced it had accepted the resignation of general secretary Champat Rai and appointed an interim official in his place.
Inaugurated in January 2024 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the temple attracts approximately 50 million visitors annually and has become a significant religious destination in India.
One of Modi's election promises, the temple replaced a 16th-century mosque that was demolished by Hindu mobs in 1992, an event that triggered nationwide riots resulting in nearly 2,000 deaths.
Many Hindus believe Ayodhya to be the birthplace of Ram.
Investigation and Police Action
The Trust held its first meeting on Monday following the emergence of allegations last month concerning the theft of donations. Initially, the Trust denied any wrongdoing. However, the state government established a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the claims.
Based on an interim SIT report, Ayodhya police registered a case of alleged embezzlement, naming eight individuals who have since been arrested and are under questioning.
Resignations and Interim Appointments
At a press conference after the meeting, Trust treasurer Govind Dev Giri confirmed that Champat Rai and another official, Anil Mishra, resigned following the police complaint filed on 25 June.
Giri announced retired forest officer Krishna Mohan as the interim general secretary. Mohan is affiliated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), an umbrella organization of Hindu nationalist groups including Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Additionally, a new CEO position has been created, and a three-member panel will recommend candidates for this role.
Donation Details and Financial Overview
Govind Dev Giri provided details regarding the donations received by the temple, stating that the Trust had collected 5.82 billion rupees (approximately $61 million; £45.63 million) from devotees up to 31 March 2026. Of this amount, 3.19 billion rupees (around $33.48 million; £25 million) had been spent on the shrine's maintenance.
Interim General Secretary's Statement
Krishna Mohan, in his first public remarks, emphasized his commitment to identifying and closing any loopholes to prevent recurrence of such incidents. He acknowledged that the allegations had damaged the Trust's reputation and eroded public trust.
Origin of Allegations and Political Impact
The theft allegations were brought forward by a former accounts supervisor who claimed he was dismissed after raising internal concerns about financial irregularities. These claims escalated into a significant political controversy, with opposition parties questioning the management of cash, jewellery, gold, and silver donated by devotees.
Petitions have been filed in both the state high court and the Supreme Court seeking a court-monitored investigation by federal police authorities.
While the exact amount stolen remains unclear, a former city legislator has alleged that over 70 million rupees (approximately $739,550; £560,420) are missing.
Champat Rai had previously denied any mishandling of donations or offerings.
Trust's Response and Future Actions
At the press conference, Govind Dev Giri refrained from specifying the exact amount or valuables stolen but called for strict action against those involved. He stressed that the Trust's primary concern was the harm caused to devotees' sentiments and the institution's credibility, as reported by The Indian Express.
"Whether the theft was small or big comes later. The atmosphere that has been created is what has hurt all of us,"
Giri described the temple's construction as "a moment of immense joy" and characterized the theft incident during donation counting as "deeply painful and shameful for all of us."
He further clarified that the temple trustees themselves did not commit the theft, according to news agency ANI.
"This betrayal was perpetrated by people whom Champat Rai, whom we consider a truly noble and great soul, trusted and kept close for so many years. It was those people who betrayed the trust,"
Giri stated that the Trust would convene again on 22 July and anticipated receiving the police's final report by that date.
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